distress

[ dih-stres ]
/ dɪˈstrɛs /

noun

adjective

afflicted with or suffering distress: distress livestock; distress wheat.
caused by or indicative of distress or hardship: distress prices; distress borrowing.

verb (used with object)

Origin of distress

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English destresse < Anglo-French distresse, destresse, Old French < Vulgar Latin *districtia, equivalent to Latin district(us) (see district) + -ia -y3; (v.) Middle English destressen < Anglo-French destresser (Old French destrecier), derivative of the noun

SYNONYMS FOR distress

2 need, destitution.

OTHER WORDS FROM distress

dis·tress·ing·ly, adverb pre·dis·tress, noun, verb (used with object)

Example sentences from the Web for distressing

British Dictionary definitions for distressing

distress
/ (dɪˈstrɛs) /

verb (tr)

noun

Derived forms of distress

Word Origin for distress

C13: from Old French destresse distress, via Vulgar Latin, from Latin districtus divided in mind; see distrain

Medical definitions for distressing

distress
[ dĭ-strĕs ]

n.

Mental or physical suffering or anguish.
Severe strain resulting from exhaustion or trauma.

Other words from distress

dis•tress adj.